Switch control device



June 30, 1942.

D. P. JOFFO SWITCH CONTROL DEVICE FiledJdarch 7, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1June 30, 1942. D. P. JOFFO I 2,287,883

SWITCH CONTROL DEVICE Filed March '7, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 mai- 8 June30, 1 942. D. P. JOFFO 2,287,883

SWITCH CONTROL DEVICE Filed March 7, 1941 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 wwmPatented June so, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH CONTROL nnvronDavid P. Joflo, New York, N. Y. Application March '1, 1941, Serial No.382,248

Claims. (Cl. 200-39) My invention relates to electric circuitcontrolling devices and more particularly to a time responsive switch,in combination with a conventional clock mechanism for closing anelectric circuit to domestic appliances such as radios, electricphonographs coifee .percolator, ultra violet rays, therapeutic lamps,furnace damper control devices, electric light circuits and the like atany pre-set time thereby providing mechanisms and improvements over theconventional clock and similar mechanisms.

In prior devices oi. similar character in which a conventional clockmechanism is utilized to actuate an electric switch there is a period ofapproximately three hours in twelve in which the switch cannot becontrolled to function at any required time. This is due to the factthat the rise of the cam which actuates the release mechanism occupiesabout ninety degrees of the cam and the switch mechanism cannot be resetuntil the cam follower has traveled this rise.

The principal object of my invention is to overcome this disadvantage byapplying a novel switch detent and release to a conventional clockmechanism by which the switch may be actuated at any pre-se't timeduring the entire twelve hour cycle of the clock.

A further object is to provide a pair of outlet sockets with the clock,one of which is connected in series with the time controlled switch andthe current supply and the other connected directly with the currentsupply. These sockets may be used together or either may be usedindependently of the other, for instance to either manually operate aradio receiver or to automatically turn it on at any predetermined time.

Another important object is to provide a time switch when once closed,will remain closed until manually reopened.

A still further object is to provide a device of above character whichmay be applied to an existing clock mechanism without material andtherefore inexpensive to manufactors and durable in use.

Other objects and advantages of my invention Fig. 5 is a detached frontelevational view of;

.in elevation;

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the wiring;

Fig. 9 is a fragmental sectional view of the switch showing the positionof the parts when switch is off;

Fig. 10 is an end view of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing a different position ofparts, the switch being still 7 Fig. 12 is an end view of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Figs. 9 and 11 showing the parts whenswitch is on;

Fig. 14 is an end view of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a face view of a modified form of my device. I

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of that shown in Fig. 15 and Fig.1?is a top plan view of Fig. 15.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 1 represents a clock case, thefront wall 2 of which is cut out to receive the clock bezel 2a andcrystal 2?). Suitable feet 3 are provided'on the base of the case formaintainin it in an upright position.

Within the case are contained the clock mechanism designated generallyas 4; an electric switch 5, the switch actuating mechanism 6, a

pair of electric outlet sockets I and 8 which proiect through the rearwall of the case and necessary electrical connections to the switch andsockets.

The rear wall 9 of the case I is also cut out as at Iii and has attachedthereto the back plate i l of the clock mechanism. Extending through theback plate H is a winding key l2, hand setting knob i3, switch pre-setknob l4 and switch cocking lever 85.

The face [6 of the clock is provided with the usual minute and hourhands lGa and I612, minute graduation and indicia l1 and it. In thelower part of the face is an arcuate cut out l9, provided with a crosshair or pointer 20, through which may be viewed a setting dial 2| whichin time may be extended or reduced to a greater or less time.

As best seen in Fig. 5, the minute pinion 25, on the center shaft of theclock mechanism meshes with a gear and pinion 25a and then with a gear26 to which is attached a cylindrical cam 21. The cam 21 is providedwith a shoulder 21a and a rise 21b. This cam and gear rotate and maymove longitudinally on a shaft 28 which extends from directly behind theclock face through the clock mechanism and projects through the backplate. I I. The projecting end of this shaft carries the switch settingknob I4.

The extreme forward end of the shaft 20 carries the setting dial 2| andimmediately behind it a cam follower 29 which engages the cam 21. Theabove construction with the exception of the dial 2I is conventional tothe usual alarm clock mechanisms.

A flat leaf spring 30, one end of which is anchored as at 3| to thefront plate of the clock mechanism has its opposite end bent to extendlaterally rearward as at 32 and is'provided with a step 33, the purposeof which will be described later. The intermediate portion of the spring30 engages the rear hub of the gear 26 to force the cam 21 intoengagement with the follower 29. Rotative movement of the cam 29 inconjunction with the fixed follower will cause a lateral movement of thecam and consequently the stepped gle or snap type and the internalconstruction is not described in detail. It is, however, provided with aU shaped mounting bracket 40 by which it may be rigidly attached to theclock mechanism.

The operating arm M of the switch is provided with an elongated hub 42and a radially extending arm 43. The arm 43 is adapted to move in thepath of the lateral stepped extension 32 of the Spring 30, The hub 42 isrigidly attached to a shaft 44 which is slidably and rotatably journaledin the sides of the U shaped bracket 40 and extends laterally therefromand through an aperture in the back plate II. The switch cocking lever Iis attached to the extending end of this shaft 44.

A light compression spring 45 surrounds the hub 42 and is interposedbetween the rear side of the bracket 40 and a shoulder 46 .on the hub tonormally force the hub with its arm 43 toward the front side of thebracket. A tension spring 41, one end of which is attached to the freeend of the arm 43 and the other to a suitable portion of the clockmechanismas at 40 normally tends to move the switch 5 to its on orclosed position.

Extending laterally forward from the arm 43, intermediate its ends, is ashort pin 50 adapted to engage a notch or step 5'! in the forward sideof the bracket 40 when the switch is in its cocked or off position andwhen the stepped end 32 of the spring 30 is in its retracted positionout of the path of the arm 43 as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. This positionoccurs when the follower is in engagement with the rise 21b of the cam21, usu ally a period of about three hours after the end of the spring30 has been retracted.

As the end 32 of the spring 30 moves toward the arm 43 it moves the armrearward until the pin 50 disengages the notch 5|. The arm then movesdown slightly into engagement with the socket 'I.

step 33 by tension of the spring 41. The plane of the step 33 isslightly above that of the notch 5| to prevent the pin 50 reengaging thenotch 5| when the spring 30 is retracted but not sufllcient movement ofthearm 43 is permitted to move the switch to its on position.- Thischange of position of the parts is shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

When the spring 30 is retracted at the pre-set time or when the shoulder21a of the cam moves past the follower 2-9 the end 32 moves forward outof the path of the arm 43 allowing the armto move its full limit andclose the switch 5 as shown in Figs.'13 and 14.

The electrical connections to the several parts 'are schematically shownin Fig. 8. A two wire cable 60, provided on one end with a suitable maleconnector plug 6|, extends through a bushing 62 into the clock casewhere its wires 63 and 63' are connected to the terminal posts of theoutlet socket 8. A conductor 64 connects one of these terminals with oneterminal of the outlet A conductor 65 is connected to the oppositeterminal of the outlet I and to one side of the switch 5 and a conductor66 connects the opposite side of the switch 5 with the second terminalof the outlet 8. a

Thus there is provided one outlet connected directly with the source ofelectric current and one outlet connected to the electric current supplythrough the time controlled switch.

In operation, if it is desired, for instance, to turn on a radioreceiver at a desired time, for example seven oclock, at any time priorto this the knob I3 is rotated until the proper graduation on the dial2| coincides with the pointer 20. This moves the cam follower 29relative to the shoulder 21a of the cam 21.

The current supply cable of the receiver is inserted in the socket 'I,the radio switch turned on, and the receiver is turned to the desiredstation. .The cocking lever I5 is then moved to its off position to openthe switch 5 and disconnect the current supply to the radio. The clockmotor then rotates the cam through its chain of gears until the presettime is reached when the follower 29 reaches the shoulder 21a of the cam21, allowing the end 32 of the spring 30 to move away from the arm 43and permit the tension of the spring 41 to close the switch 5 andcomplete the electric circuit to the receiver.

The timer may then, if desired, be immediately reset for a futureprogram without interruption to the one being broadcast and before orafter its expiration the receiver retuned, if desired,.and the switch 5recocked.

The other outlet socket 8 may be used for conventional connection of thereceiver or simultaneous use as a convenience outlet for electriccurrent to other appliances.

Other functions as set forth above and yet other functions which willbe'readily apparent to its users may be performed by this novel timeswitch.

In the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 15, 16 and 17,I may employ the same mechanism heretofore described except that it isconstructed to a smaller scale. Here the case or housing I00 is made ofan insulating material as Bakelite or other plastic having dielectricproperties and comprises a cylindrical body portion IOI, the front ofwhich is fitted with a bezel I02 and glass I03. Behind the glass I03 maybe viewed the clock dial I04 and the graduated setting dial I05. Thesetting dial I05 is viewed through an arcuate aperture I06 pro- Videdwith a pointer I01.

Projecting radially upward from the periphery of the body IUI is a clockwinding and setting stem I08. On the opposite side of the periphery ofthe casing IOI is an integral housing I09 which contains the switch andprojecting therefrom is a switch cocking lever I I0.

On opposite sides of the body II" are bosses III and H2 provided withapertures to form outlet sockets similar to the sockets I and 8.

The rear face of the body IllI carries a projection II3 provided with apair of connector prongs H4 and H5 by which the device may beelectrically connected into a household convenience outlet. A presettingknob I I6 projects from the face of the clock to set the time of switchactuation, such time being indicated on the dial I05. i

As shown in Fig. 8 an indicator lamp may be electrically connected inparallel with the switch 5 to give a visual indication when the switchis on. This lamp is positioned behind a jewel II in the face of theblock as depicted in Fig. 1. This light also serves the purpose of avisual reminder apart from the normal function of the device. Therelease member 30, since as stated above is a part of a conventionalclock mechanism, may be used as a detent and release for analarm hammershould it be desired to incorporate an alarm mechanism with the clock.

Thus I provide a time switch which is small and inconspicuous andwhich-may be used in place of the conventional multiple socket forelectrically connecting several appliances, one of which may be turnedpnat any preset time.

While for purposes of illustration I have disclosed one type of clockmechanism and a single type or switch it is obvious that thisconstruction may be changed without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Moreover, variations in the structure of the means forretaining the actuating arm may be made without departing from theunderlying concept of the invention.

It is to be understood that this inventionis to be limited only by theprior art and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device for controlling current supply to electrically operateddevices, a clock mechanism, a switch, a support for the switch, a leverjournalled for movement on the support to actuate the switch, a pin onthe lever, a detent on the supportto engage the pin and a second detentmovable into and out of the path of movement of the lever by the clockmechanism to release the pin from the first detent-and engage with thelever said second detent being moved out of the path or the lever by afurther movement of the clock mechanism at a predetermined time.

2. In a device for controlling current supply to electrically operateddevices, a clock mechanism, a switch, a support for the switch, a leverjournalled for movement on the support to actuate theswitch, a pin onthe lever, a detent on the support to engage the pin, a second detentmovable into and out of the path of movement of the lever by the clockmechanism to release the pin from the first detent and engage with thelever, said second detent being moved out of the path of the lever by afurther movement of the clock mechanism at a predeterate the switch, apin on the lever, a detent on,

the support to engage the pin, a second detent movable into and out ofthe path of movement of the lever by the clock mechanism to release thepin from the first detent and engage with the lever, said second detentbeing moved out of the path of the lever by a further movement of theclock mechanism at a predetermined time, tensioning means associatedwith the lever to move the switch to its closed position when the seconddetent has released the lever and manual means for moving the lever to aposition whereby it will be engaged by the first mentioned detent.

'4. In a device for controlling current supply to electrically operateddevices, a clock mechanism, a switch, a support for the switch, a leverjournalled for movement on the support to actuate the switch, a pin onthe lever, a detent on the support to engage the pin, a second detentmovable into and out of the path of movement of the lever, a cam toactuate said second detent, said cam being rotated by the clockmechanism and a cam follower associated with the cam and adapted toimpart a reciprocating motion thereto, said second detent being movedInto the path of movement of the lever by the reciprocating motion ofthe cam to release the pin from the first detent and engage the leverand said second detent being moved out of the path of the lever by afurther movement or the cam at a predetermined time.

5. In a device for controlling current supply to electrically operateddevices, a clock mechanism, a switch, a support for the switch, a leverjournalled for movement on the support to actuate the switch, a pin onthe lever, a detent on the support to engage the pin, a second detentmovable into and out of the path of movement of the lever, a cam toactuate said second detent, said cam being rotated by the clockmechanism, a cam follower associated with the cam and adapted to imparta reciprocating motion thereto, said second detent being moved into thepath oi. movement of the lever by the reciprocating motion of the cam torelease the pin from the first detent and engage the lever and saidsecond detent being moved out 01' the path of the lever by a furthermovement of the cam at a predetermined time, manual means to adjust thefollower relative to the Iace of the cam and visual means to indicatethe position oi the follower relative to the face of the cam.

DAVID P. sol-"F0.

